Fallen Hero: Retired Sergeant First Class Arthur Ray “Red” Scarbrough

Richton, MS

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Funeral Home

Jones and Son

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Obituary

Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:

Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”.

In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero.  Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.

Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on November 13, 2025, and has moved on to his heavenly home.  Retired Sergeant First Class Arthur Ray “Red” Scarbrough, age 84, who had served in the 785th Engineer Detachment has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord. 

It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country.  A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.

Rest in Peace Soldier.  We applaud your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright, and live so free.

You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.

Another great Soldier has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life”.

Obituary, Visitation, and Service Details: 

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at Jones and Son Chapel in Richton for Arthur Ray “Red” Scarbrough, 84, of Richton, who passed from this life on November 15, 2025. Pastor Lucas Caina De Sousa & Elder Renny Cagle will officiate the service and burial will follow in Newell Cemetery in Richton. Serving as pallbearers will be Sheriff Jacob Garner, Larry Hollimon, Mike Hollimon, Jeff Hollimon, Terry Blackledge, Ken Blackledge, Marvin Edwards, Jr., Raymond Updegraff, Richard Updegraff, and Davey Dewitt. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Daniel Hollimon, Timothy Scarbrough, Wendell Backstrom, Col. Lee Henry, David Valentine, 785th National Guard Unit, Richton Masonic Lodge, and the Perry County Sheriff’s Department. 

Red retired after more than 40 years of forestry work for Masonite, Leaf River/GP, the Timber Company and finally with Plum Creek as a harvest manager. He was a husband, daddy, provider, brother, uncle, papa, farmer, cattleman and friend/mentor to many. He was a long-time member of the Laurel Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church as deacon and greeter and was known as Papa to all the children at the SDA church.

Red was proceeded in death by his wife, Carolyn Jean Roddy Scarbrough; his parents, Woodrow & Stella Mae McLain Scarbrough; his sister, Katherine Hollimon; and his brother, James Ray Scarbrough. 

Red is survived by his son; Dr. Roddy Scarbrough of Richton; daughters, Dianne (Mike) Nowell of Richton and Jennifer (Frank) McCrory of Philadelphia; 5 grandchildren; Philip Scarbrough of Richton, Dr. Michaela (Blake) Turner of Brandon, Micah Nowell (Harley Byrd) of Richton, Crystal (Grayson) Craft of Polkville, Matt McCrory of Philadelphia; 2 great-grandchildren; Blaine and Whitley Craft of Polkville. He is also survived by 6 sisters, Billie Blackledge, Ethel Mae Edwards, Inez Watson, Peggy (Ray) Ezell, Dot (David) Dewitt, Donna (Carey) Munn; and many nieces, nephews, work/guard friends and colleagues.

Visitation will be from 5:00 -9:00 p.m., Monday, November 24, 2025 at Jones and Son Funeral Home in Richton.